NAV EX 2nd QTR 2018 NavEx 2nd Qtr 2018 - FINAL | Page 36

SEMPER PARATUS CLUB
USCG Aux Photo
Story by Tracy Schultz and Lou Volpato
Photo by Tracy Schultz
College students entered the large media room while
Auxiliarist Robert Clark, Staff Officer for Diversity in
Division 12 and Flotilla Staff Officer for Diversity for
Flotilla 12-01, warmly greeted them to a meeting of
the Semper Paratus Club of the City College of San
Francisco (CCSF). He introduced a United States
Coast Guard Auxiliary video and, for a few moments,
the students watched in silence while it played. The
students were excited by all the opportunities they
saw. After the video finished, Clark addressed the
students, discussing the Club in more detail and
introduced club officers and various guests. Clark
was soon answering questions while handing out
flyers regarding that weekend’s volunteer activities.
Clark made his way around the room and, when he got
to the front again, discussed the club in greater detail,
sharing additional information regarding the Coast
Guard Auxiliary, as well as reviewing what is expected
of club members, such as meeting attendance, good
grades, community service involvement, etcetra.
Uniformed Auxiliary guest speakers then discussed
specifics of various opportunities in the Auxiliary, as
well as answered general questions. At every turn
the community college students were presented with
creative and valuable ways to serve their country and
the community. Enthusiasm and smiles ran rampant
as the energy built and Clark’svision of accountable
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students making a difference came to fruition.
When the meeting concluded, a local Auxiliarist
representative was available to do fingerprinting
should any students choose to join the Auxiliary.
Robert Clark is the inspiration and founder of the
Semper Paratus Club of CCSF. Initially, he wanted to
establish an Auxiliary University Program (AUP) at
City College of San Francisco to help spread the news
about the Auxiliary, as well as encourage students
to volunteer and help out in their community. He
knew it would also be a great recruitin